Community Forums

Nonnaof Two · 05-26-2017, 09:58 PM

What,how who? Currently at the Grand Canyon. Today one of the luggage compartment latches broke. How can I get a replacement part. We can't really drive it for fear of it flying open. I've called and the only repair shops is 2 hours away. Has anyone had this happen, what can we do. The holiday weekend doesn't help. If anyone is in the neighborhood and has an extra one, it would sure help. Now I know to get a few to keep on hand. The Canyon is beautiful.

Deep Water D · 05-27-2017, 04:37 AM

Pretty much any RV place stocks latches. Or you can get them on Amazon and get them expedited. I carry a few extra just in case. In a pinch you could duct tape the compartment shut and go to the repair place.

Ridemist · 05-27-2017, 12:04 PM

Yep, duct tape is what I used. Now carry spares with rivets and pop rivet tool. Found them on Amazon/Ebay for 4 for $25. I've seen them recently at Camping World and know that La Mesa RV carries them. Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm in Mesa and the coach with the spares are in southern Arizona. Rick

2015 Excursion 35B

Nonnaof Two · 05-28-2017, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deep Water D

Pretty much any RV place stocks latches. Or you can get them on Amazon and get them expedited. I carry a few extra just in case. In a pinch you could duct tape the compartment shut and go to the repair place.

Thanks, I should have thought if that. I have everything removed and pushed a screwdriver in place of the latch. It's a nice snug fit. I figured after this it would be a good idea to have a few on hand.

Fiesta48 · 05-28-2017, 08:13 AM

Grease, not oil, the heck out of everything. Do it often. Pivots, latches, and catches. My latches are plastic. Hate plastic parts, break way too easy. All my doors close easily now, breakage reduced greatly.

Nonnaof Two · 05-29-2017, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Grease, not oil, the heck out of everything. Do it often. Pivots, latches, and catches. My latches are plastic. Hate plastic parts, break way too easy. All my doors close easily now, breakage reduced greatly.

Thank you for the input. What kind of grease do you recommend?

pointrow · 05-29-2017, 10:36 AM

I had one break on my Providence and I just hooked a bungee cord in back of compartment and hooked the latch.
It surprised me a door facing to the rear would still be open with the air flowing towards the back of the coach.
On my latch the bolts in the linkage were installed up from the bottom. When it got loose and the nut came off it just dropped out. I checked the rest and several were loose. Turned them all over and put lock tight on the nuts.

good luck

pointrow

Fiesta48 · 05-29-2017, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonnaof Two

Thank you for the input. What kind of grease do you recommend?

Any type grease is better than none. Lasts longer than oils. White Lithium in spray can is easiest to use. Heavier greases lasts longer than light.

Al n Cindy · 05-31-2017, 08:11 AM

When you say "latch broke", is it the plunger to which you are referring? That's what usually breaks and it generally happens because we tend to slam closed our compartments.

There is an excellent option for replacing the plastic plunger: an aluminum one. It's available from a fellow Discovery coach owner who has a fetish for making things work right:
Bruce Plumb - bplumb@centurytel.net - (417) 239-4544
I know a number of people who are very happy with them, and he is more than willing to help folks over the phone or by email. I bought his stainless battery hold-downs--they were a vast improvement!